Productive process for manufacturing an algal species-based organic complement for vegetal fertilization

Abstract

An organic complement for fertilizing vegetable species, as an organic product which fulfills with the features of a growth stimulator, mainly manufactured from green algae ( Ulva rigida ) and brownish algae ( Macrocystis pyrifera ). The invention includes a process for obtaining the complement that requires washing, grinding, acid and alkaline digestion, filtering and packaging steps. The most important used supplies are hydrochloric and phosphoric acid, and potassium carbonate. The product allows to improve the absorption efficiency of the nutrients supplied by the fertilizers, guaranteeing an optimal growth for the plant species, achieving a higher production in a short period of time. The product is biodegradable and beneficial for soils.

1. A process for making a fertilizer complement, wherein an organic vegetal growth stimulator is obtained from  Ulva  and  Macrocystis  algae, comprising the steps of:
 a) acidifying the  Macrocystis  with an acidifying agent, 
 b) providing  Ulva  algae, and 
 c) digesting the acidified  Macrocystis  and the  Ulva  with an alkalinizing agent to obtain said fertilizer complement. 
 
     
     
       2. The process according to  claim 1 , wherein the growth stimulator comprises auxin phytohormones and cytokinin phytohormones. 
     
     
       3. The process according to  claim 1 , wherein the  Ulva  algae comprises  Ulva rigida  and the  Macrocystis  algae comprises  Macrocystis pyrifera.    
     
     
       4. The process according to  claim 1 , wherein the acidifying agent comprises 0.2 N hydrochloric acid. 
     
     
       5. The process according to  claim 1 , wherein the alkalinizing agent is potassium carbonate (K 2 CO 3 ). 
     
     
       6. The process according to  claim 1 , comprising the steps of:
 1) receiving fresh algae  Macrocystis  and receiving algae Ulva, 
 2) grinding the alga  Ulva,    
 3) weighing the fresh  Macrocystis  and  Ulva  algae, 
 4) washing the fresh  Macrocystis  in water, 
 5) mincing the washed  Macrocystis,    
 6) treating the minced  Macrocystis  with an acidifying agent, 
 7) draining the residual liquid and separating the solid, minced  Macrocystis,    
 8) optionally washing the solid, minced  Macrocystis  with cold water, 
 9) optionally grinding the washed  Macrocystis,    
 10) digesting the freshly ground  Macrocystis  with a potassium carbonate solution under stirring and admixing the dry ground  Ulva,    
 11) adjusting the pH of the digested mixture to acidic with phosphoric acid, 
 12) filtering the digested mixture; 
 13) optionally storing the filtered solution for 1 to 2 days, and 
 14) optionally packaging the resulting product in plastic containers. 
 
     
     
       7. The process according to  claim 6 , wherein the weight ratio of  Macrocystis  to  Ulva  in step 3 is 1:1. 
     
     
       8. The process according to  claim 6 , wherein the weight ratio of  Macrocystis  to  Ulva  in step 10 is up to 10:1 when the  Ulva  is in a dried state. 
     
     
       9. The process according to  claim 7 , wherein the step of washing results in a low electric conductivity in the washed  Macrocystis.    
     
     
       10. The process according to  claim 6 , wherein the step of grinding the  Ulva  reduces the size of the  Ulva  to about 0.2 m. 
     
     
       11. The process according to  claim 6 , wherein the particle size of the  Macrocystis  in step 5) is about 1 cm and in step 9) is about 0.4 cm. 
     
     
       12. The process according to  claim 4 , wherein the ratio of ingredients is: water (200 L):  Macrocystis  (100 kg): 0.2 N HCl (2.5 L). 
     
     
       13. The process according to  claim 12 , wherein the acidifying step is carried out with 0.2 N hydrochloric acid for 30–40 minutes at 50° C. with constant stirring. 
     
     
       14. The process according to  claim 6 , characterized in that the ratio of ingredients is: water (400 L): algae mixture (200 kg): K 2 CO 3  (2 kg). 
     
     
       15. The process according to  claim 14 , characterized in that step 10 is carried out with K 2 CO 3  for 2 hours at 65±5° C. with constant stirring. 
     
     
       16. The process according to  claim 15 , characterised in that the digestion achieves a pH value of about 10±0.2, allowing to obtain high extraction yields of potassium alginate. 
     
     
       17. The process according to  claim 6 , wherein the final pH value of the product is regulated with technical grade phosphoric acid (H 3 PO 4 ). 
     
     
       18. The process according to  claim 14 , wherein the final pH value of the product is about 4.5 to 6.2 in order to achieve an improved stabilization. 
     
     
       19. The process according to  claim 6 , characterized in that the final product is filtered through a plate and frame press-filter using filtration media cellulose covers. 
     
     
       20. A fertilizer complement obtained by the process of  claim 1 . 
     
     
       21. The fertilizer complement according to  claim 20 , further comprising mineral elements, amino acids, vitamins and auxin phytohormones and cytokinin phytohormones based on the marine algae  Ulva  and  Macrocystis.